Zipporah's Daughter (Knave of Hearts) by Philippa Carr Read Free Book Online

fairyland; the orangery had been built by Mansard, the Comte told me, and was reckoned to be the finest piece of architecture in the whole of Versailles and I could well believe that; and it was impossible not to be impressed by the great central terrace and stretch of grass called the tapis vert. But what I remember most about Versailles was that crowded ante-chamber, named the oeil de boeuf because of its oval window, in which I, with Sophie and the Comte, waited for the King to appear from his apartments.
    Everyone was very elaborately dressed, and the Comte, I supposed because he was an important person at Court, stood in a prominent position near the door with me on one side and Sophie on the other.
    There was an air of suppressed tension in that room and such eagerness on the faces of everyone. They were all so anxious that the King should notice them on his passage through the room. I kept thinking of those people in the Bastille who had been despatched there for something of which they might well be unaware, and just because they had displeased someone who had the power to put them there. But hadn’t the Comte said the lettres de cachet had to be signed by the King?
    There was a sudden hush, for a man had come into the room. The King of France! He was followed by several men but I had eyes only for the King. I think I should have known him for the King anywhere. He had an air of great distinction in a way which I can only describe as aloof. It was a handsome face, certainly marked by debauchery but the good looks remained. He moved with grace and he was most exquisitely dressed; diamonds glittered discreetly on his person. I could not take my eyes from him.
    He was close to us now and the Comte had caught his eye. I felt myself propelled forward and curtsied as low as I could. Sophie did the same and the Comte bowed low.
    ‘Ah, Aubigné,’ said the King; his voice was low and musical.
    ‘I would present my daughters, Sire,’ said the Comte.
    I could feel those weary looking eyes on me. A very charming smile appeared on the King’s face and for a few seconds he looked straight at me.
    ‘You have a very pretty daughter, Comte,’ he said.
    ‘On a visit from England, Sire. She returns there soon to her mother.’
    ‘I hope we shall see her at Court before she goes.’
    The King had passed on. Someone else was bowing with the utmost servility.
    The Comte was delighted. As we rode back to Paris in the carriage he said: ‘It was a great success. The King actually spoke of you. That’s why I told him you were here only on a visit. He liked you. That was clear. Aren’t you flattered?’
    ‘I have heard that he likes young girls.’
    ‘Not all,’ said the Comte with a laugh, and I noticed that Sophie shrank into a corner of the carriage. I felt sorry for her because the King had scarcely glanced at her.
    When we reached Paris the Comte said that he wanted to speak to me and would I go into the petit salon where he would join me shortly.
    I changed into a simpler dress and went down to the room where he was waiting for me.
    ‘Ah Lottie,’ he said, ‘flushed with success, I see.’
    ‘It was a very brief glory,’ I reminded him.
    ‘What did you expect? An invitation to sup with him? God forbid. I should not have taken you if that had been possible.’
    ‘I didn’t expect anything. I was just surprised that he looked at me for what was it?—two seconds?’
    ‘You are a beautiful girl, Lottie. You stand out in a crowd. It means that now the King has spoken to you … or been aware of you … you could go to Court if the occasion arose. It is always well to be in a position to go.’
    ‘Well, I shall be on my way home soon. I suppose I should be thinking of my return now. I only came for a short visit, didn’t I?’
    ‘And you have enjoyed that visit?’
    ‘It has been wonderfully exciting and different from anything I ever knew before.’
    ‘I don’t intend to lose you now that I have found you, you